Drugs in ancient and modern times

The English words "pharmacy" and "pharmaceutical" come from the ancient Greek word "φαρμακεία" ≈ "use of drugs or medicines, sorcery, witchcraft" which comes from the ancient Greek word "φάρμακον" ≈ "drug, potion" which could be healing or poisonous.
The modern Greek word "φάρμακο" (FAR-ma-ko) ≈ "drug, medicine". The modern Greek word "φαρμακεία" (far-ma-KEE-a) ≈ "pharmacies".

The English word "drug" comes from French from Dutch from Germanic and is related to the English word "dry" and the German word "trocken" ≈ "dry". Many early "drugs" were gathered and "dried".

In today's society, there are "legal" and "illegal" drugs. Drugs as medicine are somewhat like a vitamin.
If you need a vitamin, you need it and it will help, sometimes a lot.

If you do not need a vitamin, you can take it, but it might not help and, if you take too much, it might make things worse.

Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. [kjv]

μηδεν κατ εριθειαν κενοδοξιαν αλλα τη ταπεινοφροσυνη αλληλους ηγουμενοι υπερεχοντας εαυτων [gnt]

Whenever Paul makes a statement, command or mandate, it is like a "vitamin". The important question is the following. What problem might exist for Paul to recommend this vitamin?
Does it help to know that the Greek word translated as "strife" means "eristic" or "using bad logic" and the Greek word translated as "vainglory" means "empty opinion"? The last part of the verse uses a play on words to refer to the "bishops" lording it over the others.

More: Philippians 2:3-5 strife and vain glory

Galatians 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, [kjv]

ειδωλολατρια φαρμακεια εχθραι ζηλος θυμοι εριθειαι διχοστασιαι αιρεσεις [gnt]

… servitus … [v]

witchecraftis… [wy]

The "lists" of Paul in Galatians warns about ideas that are not good include the Greek word for "drugs" and is often translated as "sorcery" or "witchcraft".

Galatians 5:20

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KJV: Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

Greek: ειδωλολατρεια ειδωλολατρια φαρμακεια εχθραι ερεις ζηλοι ερις ζηλος θυμοι εριθειαι διχοστασιαι αιρεσεις

Latin: idolorum servitus veneficia inimicitiae contentiones aemulationes irae rixae dissensiones sectae

Wycliffe: witchecraftis, enmytees, striuyngis, indignaciouns, wraththis, chidingis, discenciouns, sectis, enuyes,

*G5331 *0 φαρμακεία (far-mak-i'-ah) : from G5332 φαρμακεύς; medication ("pharmacy"), i.e. (by extension) magic (literally or figuratively):--sorcery, witchcraft.

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φαρμακεια

Galatians 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, ...

φαρμακιων

Revelation 9:21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor ...

φαρμακια

Revelation 18:23 ... for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.

*G5332 φαρμακεύς (far-mak-yoos') : from pharmakon (a drug, i.e. spell-giving potion); a druggist ("pharmacist") or poisoner, i.e. (by extension) a magician:--sorcerer.
*G5333 *2 φαρμακός (far-mak-os') : the same as G5332 φαρμακεύς:--sorcerer.

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φαρμακοις

Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, ...

φαρμακοι

Revelation 22:15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and ...

Words: φαρμακεια φαρμακια φαρμακιων φαρμακοι φαρμακοις

Revelation 9:21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts. [kjv]

και ου μετενοησαν εκ των φονων αυτων ουτε εκ των φαρμακων αυτων ουτε εκ της πορνειας αυτων ουτε εκ των κλεμματων αυτων [gnt]

… homicidiis … veneficiis … fornicatione … [v]

The "end times" prophecies of Revelation use the Greek word for "drugs" or "sorcery" four times.

What "murders" might be intended? The Greek for "fornication" is the source of the English word "pornography".

Revelation 9:21

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KJV: Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.

Greek: και ου μετενοησαν εκ των φονων αυτων ουτε εκ των φαρμακειων φαρμακων αυτων ουτε εκ της πορνειας αυτων ουτε εκ των κλεμματων αυτων

Latin: et non egerunt paenitentiam ab homicidiis suis neque a veneficiis suis neque a fornicatione sua neque a furtis suis

Revelation 18:23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. [kjv]

και φως λυχνου ου μη φανη εν σοι ετι και φωνη νυμφιου και νυμφης ου μη ακουσθη εν σοι ετι οτι οι εμποροι σου ησαν οι μεγιστανες της γης οτι εν τη φαρμακεια σου επλανηθησαν παντα τα εθνη [gnt]

More: Christmas advent season

What "light" might not "shine". What great merchant power who were the "greatest" of the "earth" might have "deceived" the "nations"?

Revelation 18:23

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KJV: And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.

Greek: και φως λυχνου ου μη φανη εν σοι ετι και φωνη νυμφιου και νυμφης ου μη ακουσθη εν σοι ετι οτι οι εμποροι σου ησαν οι μεγιστανες της γης οτι εν τη φαρμακεια σου επλανηθησαν παντα τα εθνη

Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. [kjv]

τοις δε δειλοις και απιστοις και εβδελυγμενοις και φονευσιν και πορνοις και φαρμακοις και ειδωλολατραις και πασιν τοις ψευδεσιν το μερος αυτων εν τη λιμνη τη καιομενη πυρι και θειω ο εστιν ο θανατος ο δευτερος [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "μέρος" ≈ "part, portion, share" and is the source of the ancient Greek word "μέριμνα" ≈ "portion, part" and is related to the ancient Greek words for "care" is in the "cares of this world" and "anxious" is an about getting one's share or part.

The modern Greek word "μέρος" (MEH-ros) ≈ "part" and is part of the modern Greek word "διαμέρισμα" (thee-a-MEH-ree-sma) ≈ "apartment" where one occupies "part" of a building.

The ancient Greek word "μέριμνα" ≈ "care, pursuit" and is related to the Latin word "memor" ≈ "mindful" and the Old English word "mimor" ≈ "mindful" as in remembering. The PIE (Proto Indo-European) root "*(S)MER" ≈ "remember" is the root word of the English word "memory".

In the first Kingdom Parable of the sower in Matthew 13, Jesus compares the "care" of the "age" (not world) with the "deceitfulness of riches"

Matthew 13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. [kjv]

ο δε εις τας ακανθας σπαρεις ουτος εστιν ο τον λογον ακουων και η μεριμνα του αιωνος και η απατη του πλουτου συμπνιγει τον λογον και ακαρπος γινεται [gnt]

The modern Greek word "μέριμνα" (MEH-ree-mna) ≈ "care, pursuit".

More: Matthew 13: A pointed discussion of thorny riches

Revelation 21:8

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KJV: But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Greek: δειλοις τοις δε δειλοις και απιστοις και εβδελυγμενοις και φονευσιν και πορνοις και φαρμακευσιν φαρμακοις και ειδωλολατραις και πασιν τοις ψευδεσιν το μερος αυτων εν τη λιμνη τη καιομενη πυρι και θειω ο εστιν δευτερος ο θανατος ο δευτερος

Revelation 22:15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. [kjv]

εξω οι κυνες και οι φαρμακοι και οι πορνοι και οι φονεις και οι ειδωλολατραι και πας φιλων και ποιων ψευδος [gnt]

More: Sheep dogs and wolf dogs

More: Caleb and the canine dogs

More: Sayings of the dog and the sow

Revelation 22:15

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KJV: For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

Greek: εξω δε οι κυνες και οι φαρμακοι και οι πορνοι και οι φονεις και οι ειδωλολατραι και πας ο φιλων και ποιων ψευδος

Latin: foris canes et venefici et inpudici et homicidae et idolis servientes et omnis qui amat et facit mendacium

Talking about false teachers, early church father Ignatius writes the following to the Trallians (part 6.2, underlining added).

The Greek for "unsuspecting" is "ignorant". One needs to study the truth to not be "ignorant".

English: ... these people, while pretending to be trustworthy, mix Jesus Christ with themselves - like those who administer a deadly drug with honeyed wine, which the unsuspecting victim accepts without fear and so with final pleasure drinks down death. Holmes, M. (2007). The Apostolic Fathers. 3rd Ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, p. 219.

What is the functional difference between the following?

Someone who says "I am Christ. Do this." (false Christ).
Someone who says "I represent Christ. Christ says to do this.".

More: The taste of false teaching

More: Book: Apostolic Fathers

After warning about the poison of false teachers, Ignatius tells the Trallians in the very next line that being puffed up with pride makes one susceptible to such false teachers (part 7.1).

English: Therefore be on your guard against such people. And you will be provided that you are not puffed up with pride ...

Holmes, M. (2007). The Apostolic Fathers. 3rd Ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, p. 208.

Such prideful people think (know) that they know the answers without even checking to verify them. They will proclaim "I am" followed by assertions or oaths of their self-exalted position.

Proverbs 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. [kjv]

More: Book: Apostolic Fathers

The Greek word for "drug" is related to the ideas and Greek words for "virus" and "poison" and "chemistry".

The English word "virus" comes from the PIE root "wison" ≈ "slime, poison".

The Middle English word "viros" ≈ "venom".
The Latin word "virus" ≈ "poison, slime, venom".

The first use of the word "virus" in a computer context was in a 1972 book by David Gerrold.

The modern Greek word "ιός" (ee-OS) ≈ "venom" which is from the ancient Greek word "ἰός" ≈ "poison, venom" which is from an older ancient Greek word "Ϝἰσός" ≈ "poison, venom" which starts with the digamma "v" or "f" sound. The ancient Greek word for "poison" as related to the English word "virus" is used eight times in the GNT (Greek New Testament) and LXX (Septuagint).

More: Viral origins of the word virus

Acts 2:18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: [kjv]

και γε επι τους δουλους μου και επι τας δουλας μου εν ταις ημεραις εκειναις εκχεω απο του πνευματος μου και προφητευσουσιν [gnt]

The word "chemistry" was coined in 1605 from the Latin word "alchimista" ≈ "alchemy" for an Arabic word "اَلْكِيمِيَاء‎" (al-kimiya) ≈ "alchemy" which is the Arabic word "اَل‎" (al) ≈ "a, an" and Arabic form of the ancient Greek word "χυμεία" (hee-MEE-a) ≈ "art of alloying metals" which is the modern word for "chemistry". This word is traced back as follows.

The modern Greek word "χύμα" (HEE-ma) ≈ "fluid".
The modern Greek word "χυμός" (hee-MOS) ≈ "juice".
The modern Greek word "χέω" (HEH-o) ≈ "pour".

Note: Many English words that originated in Arabic have the "al" prefix, such as "alchemy" (this word), "algorithm". "algebra", etc.

More: Chemistry of the Bible

An "antidote" is what one takes "in place of" the "dose" or what is given as poison.

More: The prefix anti in place of against

The "antidote" for sin in general is mentioned by Ignatius in his letter to the Ephesians (part 20.2)

English: ... breaking one bread, which is the medicine of immortality, the antidote we take in order not to die but to live forever in Jesus Christ.

Greek: … ἕνα ἄρτον κλῶντες, ὅς ἐστιν φάρμακον ἀθανασιας, ἀντίδοτος τοῦ μὴ ἀποθανεῖν, ἀλλὰ ζῆν ἐν Ἰησοῦ Χριστῷ διὰ παντός. Ignatius to the Ephesians [20]

Holmes, M. (2007). The Apostolic Fathers. 3rd Ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, p. 199.

More: Book: Apostolic Fathers

The English word "deleterious" comes through Latin from the ancient Greek word "δηλητήριος" ≈ "harmful, damaging" which comes from the ancient Greek word "δηλέομαι " ≈ "I hurt".

The modern Greek word "δηλητήριος" (thee-lee-TEE-ree-os) ≈ "poison".

These words do not appear in the LXX or GNT.

Colossians 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; [kjv]

εξαλειψας το καθ ημων χειρογραφον τοις δογμασιν ο ην υπεναντιον ημιν και αυτο ηρκεν εκ του μεσου προσηλωσας αυτο τω σταυρω [gnt]

delens … [v]

The ancient Greek word for "poison" may be related to the Latin word "deleo" ≈ "destroy, finish" which is the source of the English word "delete" and used in the Latin Vulgate by Paul as "blotting out".

Colossians 2:14

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KJV: Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Greek: εξαλειψας το καθ ημων χειρογραφον τοις δογμασιν ο ην υπεναντιον ημιν και αυτο ηρκεν εκ του μεσου προσηλωσας αυτο τω σταυρω

Latin: delens quod adversum nos erat chirografum decretis quod erat contrarium nobis et ipsum tulit de medio adfigens illud cruci

Wycliffe: foryyuynge to you alle giltis, doynge awei that writing of decre that was ayens vs, that was contrarie to vs; and he took awei that fro the myddil, pitchinge it on the cros;

Geneva: And putting out the hand writing of ordinances that was against vs, which was contrarie to vs, hee euen tooke it out of the way, and fastened it vpon the crosse,

Gothic: afswairbands thos ana uns wadjabokos raginam seinaim, thatei was andaneitho uns, jah thata usnam us midumai ganagljands ita du galgin,

Luther: und ausgetilget die Handschrift, so wider uns war, welche durch Satzungen entstund und uns entgegen war, und hat sie aus dem Mittel getan und an das Kreuz geheftet.

Spanish: rayendo el manuscrito de las ordenanzas que había contra nosotros, que nos era contrario, quitándolo de en medio y clavándolo en la cruz;

Portuguese: anulou o documento que, com os seus decretos, era contra nós; aboliu-o inteiramente, e cravou-o na cruz.

Sorcery is often attributed to witches and warlords. A witch in the Bible is Saul and the witch of Endor.

More: 1 Samuel: Saul and the witch of Endor

Here are some things Aristotle says in passing about drugs, usually used as an example in his work Topics.

Topica 2 3:8 [111b] ἐπιθυμία τούτου ἢ ὡς τέλους, οἷον ὑγιείας, ἢ ὡς τῶν πρὸς τὸ τέλος, οἷον τοῦ φαρμακευθῆναι, ἢ ὡς τοῦ κατὰ συμβεβηκός, καθάπερ ἐπὶ τοῦ οἴνου ὁ φιλόγλυκυς, οὐχ ὅτι οἶνος ἀλλ´ ὅτι γλυκύς ἐστιν. [aristotle]

11:13 Πάλιν ποτὲ μὲν συμφέρει φαρμακεύεσθαι, οἷον ὅταν νοσῇ, ἁπλῶς δ´ οὔ. [aristotle]

Topica 6 13:11 Μάλιστα δὲ καταφανὲς τὸ νῦν ῥηθὲν ἐπὶ τῶν ὑγιεινῶν καὶ νοσωδῶν· ἔνια γὰρ τῶν φαρμάκων οὕτως ἔχει ὥσθ´ ἑκάτερον μὲν εἶναι ἀγαθόν, ἐὰν δ´ ἄμφω δοθῇ μειχθέντα, κακόν. [aristotle]

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